You are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church

You are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church. 

The best nicknames capture something essential about a person.   United States President Abraham Lincoln, for instance, was called “Honest Abe” for his great concern for the truth.   One story has it that as a store clerk in Illinois, he walked several miles to return a few cents to a customer he overcharged.

Today’s Gospel (Matthew 16:18) tells us how Peter — whose real name was Simon — received his nickname from none other than Jesus himself. Impressed that Peter had come to the conclusion that Jesus was the Messiah, Jesus gave him the name “Rock,” or Petros in Greek and Kepha in Aramaic.   Peter’s faith would be the rock-solid foundation for Jesus’ new Church.

Appropriately, Peter’s nickname identified his best talents:   he was solid as a rock;   he could stand firm under pressure;   and he could be a trustworthy brother to his fellow disciples — the rock who held everyone together.

At first, however, Peter didn’t quite live up to his name.   He had to grow into it. Like all of us, he started out as a mix.   He believed in Jesus and wanted to follow him wholeheartedly.   But he also wavered at times, acting undeniably “unrocky.”   He told Jesus he should not have to go to the cross (Matthew 16:22).   He boldly walked on water at Jesus’ invitation, only to sink like a rock the minute he realized what he was doing (14:28-32).   And at what must have felt like his lowest point ever, Peter denied three times that he was a follower of Jesus (26:69-75).

Despite these failings, Jesus never stopped believing in Peter.   He never stopped teaching him and molding him into the rock Jesus knew he could be.   And it worked.   Peter eventually did become every bit the rock who would sustain the Church.

Last week on his feast day, when we celebrate Peter’s role as leader of the Church, remember that Peter was able to take on this role because Jesus had helped him grow into the person he became.   Remember this, and believe that he can do the same for you.

Word Among Us